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Our History

Greater Manchester and the North West has long-since been
renowned for its commitment and high standard of medical care for
children. When the new Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
(RMCH) opened, we bid a fond farewell to Booth Hall
Hospital, and the old RMCH at Pendlebury. Both hospitals have
fascinating and inspiring stories, and have played a fundamental
role in healthcare in Manchester during the last two centuries.

Booth Hall Hospital

1581 was a significant year for the city because not only was it
the year that Humphrey Booth was born, but with it a caring nature
that has passed through generations which has turned Booth Hall
Hospital into one of the most talked about children's hospitals in
the country. In fact the inscription on Booth's headstone that
reads 'love his memory, imitate his devotion' perfectly sums up the
Hospital's continued devotion to patient care.

Booth bought a piece of land in Blackley before 1907, when the
building was demolished to make way for the new Hospital. The
infirmary opened in 1908. Costing £70,000 to build from the remains
of Booth's house, it occupied a 34 acre site, and was built in a
two-storied pavilion style. By February 1909, 151 patients had been
moved from the Work House to the Infirmary and by March that year,
there were more than 30 staff. Influenced by Booth's reason for
helping the destitute after the devastating effects of the plague,
Booth Hall cared for those who were poor, but sick until 1914 when
wounded soldiers from World War I were admitted.

On the day after World War II broke out, all patients were
removed from Booth Hall. Those who were well enough were sent home
and the rest to other hospitals or convalescence homes in the North
West. The empty hospital was made ready for the casualties of
expected air raids, and a decontamination unit was even installed
for the victims of gas attacks. However, the anticipated conflict
never materialised and within six months the Hospital reverted back
to caring for sick children. At that time, it had 525 beds, 227 of
which were occupied. In the first three weeks of June that year
there were 1,092 out-patient attendances and 143 operations carried
out.

When the NHS was born in 1948, Booth Hall, Monsall and the
Duchess of York Hospital were grouped under Manchester babies and
Children's Hospital Management Committee, and he Hospital was
incorporated into the NHS. From the vision of one man in 1907, the
hospital has grown, yet its principles have remained constant
throughout. This approach and dedication to caring for the children
of the North West, and the UK as a whole, continued with the
opening of the new Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in
2009.

Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury

The hospital at Pendlebury was the first in the UK to treat only
children when it opened in 1829. It began as a small dispensary at
25 Back King Street in Central Manchester, and from the time of its
inception to the mid 20th century, its size grew ten-fold. By 1852,
the hospital was receiving so many patients, it was necessary to
amass donations to move to a larger building, enabling the Royal at
Pendlebury to care for at least 7,000 patients a year.

In the first century after opening, the hospital at Pendlebury
treated in excess of 80,000 patients. Locating the dispensary
onsite allowed hospital staff to give patients quick access to the
medical care they needed, and prevented the onset of disease by
distributing information on hygiene and health.

Through its commitment to stalling the onset of disease,
Pendlebury became recognised in 1924 as the leading institute for
nursing training- trainee nurses all had to gain certification
attained only by being taught at the facility at Pendlebury.

The hospital continued to thrive after the birth of the NHS,
expanding to host over 250 beds, adding teaching units and theatres
to the building. The hospital has maintained its commitment to
caring for the local and wider community, and it is this ethos
which drives Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.